These days, employees must occasionally work on the road. This means they're taking important data out of the confines of their company's private network and exposing it to threats.
Although traveling can be a hassle with so much to keep track of, you're better off forgetting to pack a toothbrush than forgetting to protect your data. So, before you venture out of the office, make sure you take the necessary steps to keep your information safe.
Safe space. Use your company's virtual private network (VPN) whenever you can access it. This provides a direct link to your work data and resources, while ensuring an added layer of protection from hackers.
Lock down. Protect your devices with a PIN number or finger ID so that nobody, except you, can access them. Also, create strong security codes and passwords for your accounts that don't incorporate personal information such as your name or birthday.
Out of reach. Keep the information you're using saved in the cloud or stored on an external drive. This comes in handy when crossing international borders. As the laws pertaining to data theft and ownership can vary in different places, you may be forced to offer up private company information that can put you in a legal bind.
Draw the line. To prevent your device from immediately syncing to an unprotected network, disable auto-connect features for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity so these must be done manually.
Time to upgrade. Check that anti-virus protection software is installed on your personal device and update your operating systems and apps so that you're working with the latest versions possible.
Protecting Your Work On The Road
Once you've taken the necessary steps to ensure your electronic defenses are up, here are some tips to help you physically manage your data and devices safely while you're working on-the-go:
Being Safe When Using Public Wi-Fi
The Internet is a vital tool in getting work done. That's why it's one of the first things we seek out when we arrive somewhere new. However, this means we must often rely on public Wi-Fi, which can be risky when handling important information. So, how can you keep data safe when working in an unknown network?
By taking a few simple, proactive steps to secure your data while traveling, you can some of the common pressures that come with being on the road.